1
At 8.4 GPG, Chicago's water qualifies as moderately hard. This can cause limescale in pipes and shorten appliance lifespan.
2
Chlorine levels may affect the taste of Chicago's tap water. A carbon filter improves flavor.

Score

79 /100

Good

"Good" threshold (70)

Chicago tap water is sourced from Lake Michigan and treated by Chicago Department of Water Management. Water hardness is hard at 8.4 GPG which may cause scale buildup. Overall purity score: 79/100 (Good). Updated for 2026.

Fix Your Water

Best filters matched to Chicago's 3 issues.

See Filters

MATCHED TO CHICAGO'S WATER DATA

Best Water Filters for Chicago, IL (2026)

Matched to Hard Water (8.4 GPG), Moderate Chlorine in Chicago.

Hard Water (8.4 GPG) Moderate Chlorine

Best Overall #1 for Chicago

AFWFilters 5600sxt 48,000 Grain Softener

Salt-Based Water Softener

$650–750

Why this fits Chicago

Handles Chicago's hard water (Hard Water (8.4 GPG))
Premium quality at $650–750

Pros & Cons +

48,000 grain capacity — handles very hard water

Digital metered valve saves salt

Requires salt refills (monthly)

Does not remove contaminants

Fix Your Water — Check Price

Best Value

Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher

Pitcher Filter

$80–95

Why this fits Chicago

Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Chicago's water
NSF/ANSI 42 + NSF/ANSI 53 + NSF/ANSI 401 certified
Budget-friendly at $80–95

Pros & Cons +

No installation — fill and pour

Removes 365+ contaminants including PFAS

Small capacity (2-3 people)

Filter replacements every 4 months

Check Price on Amazon

Best for Taste

Waterdrop 10UA Under-Sink Filter

Under-Sink Carbon Filter

$40–60

Why this fits Chicago

Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Chicago's water
NSF/ANSI 42 certified
Budget-friendly at $40–60

Pros & Cons +

Very affordable ($40-60)

Easy DIY install — no plumber

Does not remove PFAS or hardness

Single point of use only

Check Price on Amazon

Also Recommended

Waterdrop G3P800 Tankless RO

Tankless Reverse Osmosis

$380–450

Why this fits Chicago

Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Chicago's water
NSF/ANSI 58 + NSF 372 certified
Premium quality at $380–450

Pros & Cons +

No tank — saves cabinet space

800 GPD fast flow rate

Higher upfront cost

Filter replacements are proprietary

Check Price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, PurityMap may earn from qualifying purchases. Based on latest Chicago water data.

Full Filter Comparison for Chicago

Know exactly what's in YOUR tap

City data shows averages. Your home may differ.

Test Your Water — $25–30

Explore Chicago Water Data

Chicago Water FAQ

Is Chicago IL tap water safe to drink in 2026?

Chicago tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 79/100 (Good) on PurityMap for 2026. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.

Does Chicago IL use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?

Chicago uses chlorine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 1.8 ppm. Standard activated carbon filters including pitcher filters are effective at removing free chlorine taste and odor.

How hard is Chicago IL water and what is the TDS level?

Chicago water hardness is 8.4 grains per gallon (hard) with a TDS of 210 ppm (fair). This level causes noticeable scale buildup in water heaters kettles and dishwashers. A water softener is recommended to protect plumbing and reduce soap usage.

Has PFAS been found in Chicago IL drinking water?

Based on available EPA UCMR5 monitoring data as of 2026 PFAS have not been detected above EPA advisory levels in Chicago drinking water.

What is the best water filter for Chicago?

Based on Chicago's water profile, we recommend the AFWFilters 5600sxt 48,000 Grain Softener. Chicago has elevated chlorine residuals. An under-sink carbon filter removes chlorine and disinfection byproducts at the tap.

Nearby Reports

RockfordIllinois — 58/100 ChampaignIllinois — 73/100 ElginIllinois — 75/100 AuroraIllinois — 79/100 NapervilleIllinois — 79/100 PeoriaIllinois — 79/100

All Illinois cities

Explore Water Quality by State

Compare across all 50 US states

View All States

Data Sources

EPA SDWIS
EWG Tap Water Database
Chicago Department of Water Management CCR
USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

Link copied!